Gym safety experts urge mandatory safety racks after weightlifting accident
A man in his 50s suffered life-threatening neck injuries after being crushed by weightlifting equipment at a Broadbeach gym, prompting calls for mandatory safety racks.
Emergency services were called to a Broadbeach gym around 8 am on Friday after a man in his 50s was trapped by weightlifting equipment, resulting in life-threatening neck injuries; he remains in stable condition at Gold Coast University Hospital. Queensland Work Health and Safety confirmed it is not investigating the case. Griffith University sports scientist Phil Bellinger advocated for mandatory safety racks on lifting machines, noting they can catch a barbell if a lift fails, and emphasized the importance of spotters and proper client education.
He warned that unstaffed, 24-hour gym access allows inexperienced users to attempt heavy lifts without supervision. FitSafe Australia founder Selwyn Becker, with three decades of gym-audit experience, said that while CCTV and panic buttons help, they do not replace the presence of floor instructors and recommended regular equipment maintenance and independent safety reviews.
Why it matters
The incident highlights safety gaps in 24/7 gyms and could drive new regulations to protect patrons.
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